Russia has enjoyed unprecedented economic growth over the seven years of Putin's reign, due largely to surging oil and gas export revenues. At any rate, the commodity price surge jump-started the economy--as well as the government to repay its international debts--leaving the ruble devaluation, debt default, and financial crises of...

Turkey's stocks are appreciating at a rapid clip. Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey teeters between Western secular democracy and ancient traditional culture. But this vast nation of 73 million has a modern, robust economy and may one day join the European Union.